T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
Songs from “The Tragedy of Valentinian”
By Francis Beaumont (1584–1616) and John Fletcher (1579–1625)(From Act II. Scene IV.) NOW the lusty spring is seen;I. | |
| Golden yellow, gaudy blue, | |
| Daintily invite the view. | |
| Every where, on every green, | |
| Roses blushing as they blow, | 5 |
| And enticing men to pull; | |
| Lilies whiter than the snow, | |
| Woodbines of sweet honey full: | |
| All love’s emblems, and all cry, | |
| “Ladies, if not pluck’d, we die.” | 10 |
| Yet the lusty spring hath staid; | |
| Blushing red, and purest white, | |
| Daintily to love invite | |
| Every woman, every maid, | |
| Cherries kissing as they grow, | 15 |
| And inviting men to taste; | |
| Apples even ripe below. | |
| Winding gently to the waist: | |
| All love’s emblems, and all cry, | |
| “Ladies, if not pluck’d, we die.” | 20 |
II. HEAR ye, ladies that despise | |
| What the mighty Love has done; | |
| Fear examples, and be wise: | |
| Fair Calisto was a nun; | |
| Leda, sailing on the stream | 25 |
| To deceive the hopes of man, | |
| Love accounting but a dream, | |
| Doted on a silver swan; | |
| Danae in a brazen tower, | |
| Where no love was, loved a shower. | 30 |
| Hear ye, ladies that are coy, | |
| What the mighty Love can do; | |
| Fear the fierceness of the boy: | |
| The chaste moon he makes to woo; | |
| Vesta kindling holy fires, | 35 |
| Circled round about with spies, | |
| Never dreaming loose desires, | |
| Doting at the altar dies; | |
| Ilion in a short hour higher | |
| He can build, and once more fire. | 40 |